Fox News mistook singer Patti LaBelle for Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in a tribute following Franklin’s death on Thursday.
In a video package highlighting the star’s most memorable moments, there is a picture of Franklin on the left and the dates of her life with an image of Patti LaBelle in the top right corner.
Viewers took to Twitter to express outrage at the error. One wrote: “The dis-R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That’s really Patti LaBelle in the corner wtf.”
Twitter user Charlotte Clymer also wrote: “In the span of seven hours, @FoxNews has lambasted “communist Japan” and confused Patti Labelle for Aretha Franklin, and we’re all kinda just like, ‘Yeah, that’s Fox.’”
Another wrote: “America in 2018: Fox News uses a picture of Patti LaBelle during a tribute to Aretha Franklin, apparently confusing the two.
“That’s okay, @FoxNews. We often confuse you for a real network.”
Brady Hoffman also tweeted: “So Fox News shows a picture of Patti LaBelle during an Aretha Franklin tribute but according to Donald Trump they’re ok and CNN is “fake news”???”
Fox News has since apologised for the error. Jessica Santostefano, Fox News’ vice president, media desk, said in a statement: “We sincerely apologize to Aretha Franklin’s family and friends.”
Ms Santostefano added: “Our intention was to honor the icon using a secondary image of her performing with Patti LaBelle in the full screen graphic, but the image of Ms. Franklin was obscured in that process, which we deeply regret.”
The Queen of Soul’s cause of death was advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type.
Ms Franklin was surrounded by her friends and family at her home when she passed.
It was revealed this week that the Respect chart-topper was “gravely ill” in Detroit.
The Queen of Soul’s spokesperson released a statement to Express.co.uk on Thursday confirming Aretha had died. It read: “In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart.
“We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.”
It continued: “We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world.
“Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on.”